Our Story…
Twin Cities Aviation began operating in 1997 at the Anoka County Airport in Blaine, Minnesota.
TCA was the culmination of a dream by founder Bill Ahmann, A&P/IA, who after years working as an A&P mechanic on piston and turbine aircraft in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area started his own business with the goal of providing outstanding personal service to aircraft owners and operators in the Twin Cities area.
In 1999 TCA became one of the first Cirrus Authorized Service Centers in the country. Cirrus Design Corp. chose TCA as a service center over several larger maintenance shops in the area partly because of the personal attention Bill and his staff provide to their customers, which fit well with what became known as “The Cirrus Experience.”
In 2008 Twin Cities Aviation became a part 145 certified repair station, again meeting tough FAA requirements for training, quality control, inventory control and record keeping.
Our mechanics have decades of military and airline maintenance backgrounds as well as extensive experience working on piston aircraft. They have experience with heavy jet maintenance, avionics, systems, structures and composites and bring the high standards of technical excellence demanded by airline and military operations to our piston and turbine customers.
TCA’s maintenance staff has undergone factory training on a range of airframes including: Gulfstream G200, the Falcon 10/20 series, Westwind, King Air, Hawker/Beechcraft 400/800, Saberliner, McDonnel-Douglas, Cessna, Robinson and Enstrom helicopters and Cirrus’ popular SR20 and SR22 aircraft.Twin Cities Aviation’s staff is well suited to work on all types of General Aviation aircraft, from Experimental to Light Twins.
As of October 2018, the Twin Cities Aviation team has moved to a well-equipped location in the Lynx FBO hangar on the north end of the Airport. This move will give the maintenance team a chance to continue growing and and provide the service our customers have learned to expect. We will also be adding the tag of Icon A5 Authorized Service Center to our list of growing options for the new LSA market.
Twin Cities Aviation will continue to be a regional leader in General Aviation Service, with our core focus being the continuing satisfaction of our loyal and growing customer base.
Craig Mueller, P.E.
President
Craig began working with Bill Ahmann in the early 1990’s – obtaining his A&P license through practical experience as an apprentice under Bill’s supervision. After receiving his A&P, Craig continued working with Bill for several more years while going to college to become an Aerospace Engineer. Transitioning to engineering – Craig worked as a Liaison Engineer for Northwest Airlines (developing repairs for DC10, 747, 757, DC9 & Airbus aircraft), and later as a Project Engineering for NWA on the A330 as a structures engineer. In 2006, Craig earned his Professional Engineer license in MN, and in 2009, Craig and his family (yes – entrepreneurship has been a family profession) began the adventure of entrepreneurship! AAC Engineering has been the professional focus for the past decade for Craig. In 2019, an opportunity for Craig and Bill to work together arose, and it has resulted in an excellent synergy once again! Expect lots of refinements in the years ahead as we bring this capable team together!
John Cromwell
A&P Mechanic
John Cromwell brings over two decades of experience in aircraft maintenance and internal combustion engine systems to his role at Twin Cities Aviation. A seasoned A&P mechanic, John has a diverse background that spans commercial and general aviation, military service, and ground power systems. His maintenance expertise includes work on Cessna 152s and 172s, Beechcraft King Airs, Bell helicopters, and large transport aircraft like the B737 and A320 family. John has also led teams in inflight entertainment system support for widebody fleets such as the A350 and B777. His leadership experience includes roles at Panasonic Aviation and Pioneer Critical Power, where he managed technical operations and mentored staff across maintenance and customer service functions. With a foundation built on precision, safety, and a proactive approach to problem-solving, John’s ability to lead under pressure and deliver consistent quality makes him a vital contributor to TCA’s standard of operational excellence.
Bill Ahmann
Founder, Twin Cities Aviation
Bill has been working as an A&P/IA for, well, an awfully long time! His common sense approach to customer service and business ownership have been instrumental in building TCA – one of the oldest Cirrus Authorized Service Centers in the USA. Bill has a long standing commitment to general aviation and breadth of connections throughout the industry to result in a very strong network of capabilities that TCA offers to our customers. From the team at TCA – Many thanks to Bill and Barb for your perseverance – TCA would not be here without your grit!
Randy Borgerding
Crew Chief
Randy brings over three decades of aviation maintenance expertise to his role as Crew Chief at Twin Cities Aviation. With a career spanning leadership and technical positions across both corporate and general aviation sectors, he has consistently delivered excellence in aircraft systems management and team leadership. Prior to joining TCA, Randy served as Maintenance Director at Elliott Aviation and Chief of Aircraft Maintenance at Pella Corporation, where he led teams through complex inspections and upgrades. His background also includes key roles at General Dynamics Aviation Services, Signature Flight Support, Bemidji Aviation Services, and St. Cloud Aviation. Trained on a broad array of aircraft—from King Airs and Citations to Gulfstreams and Learjets—Randy’s deep knowledge of avionics, electrical, hydraulic, and engine systems underpins his commitment to safety, reliability, and operational growth. His collaborative leadership style and technical insight make him an essential leader in advancing TCA’s mission of excellence in aircraft maintenance.
Tyler McCartney
Aviation Services Coordinator
As Aviation Services Coordinator at Twin Cities Aviation, Tyler McCartney is the first point of contact for our customers and a key link between the front desk and the hangar floor. With a strong focus on communication, scheduling, and service coordination, Tyler ensures each client receives timely updates and seamless support throughout the maintenance process. His attention to detail and dedication to customer care help keep operations running smoothly and our clients well-informed. Tyler’s role is central to delivering the exceptional experience TCA is known for.
Shawn Eichler
A&P Mechanic
Shawn brings a dynamic blend of military precision and technical versatility to Twin Cities Aviation as an A&P Mechanic. A veteran of the United States Air Force with over five years of experience maintaining F-35A airframes and propulsion systems, Shawn has a proven ability to perform complex maintenance, inspections, and system diagnostics on high-performance aircraft. His current service in the Air Force Reserve, working on C-130 turbo-propeller engines, reflects his continued commitment to excellence in aerospace propulsion. Beyond military aviation, Shawn has excelled in civilian roles—from servicing off-road vehicles at Polaris to maintaining full-flight simulators at CAE. His work ethic, rooted in discipline and technical skill, is complemented by an FAA Airframe license and a passion for hands-on craftsmanship. Shawn’s dedication to both aircraft readiness and team integrity makes him a valuable asset to the TCA maintenance team.
Christal Misukanis
Parts Manager & Business Administrator
With over 25 years of experience in aviation, Christal is the best Business Administrator & Parts Manager the team could ask for. She has an encyclopedic knowledge of Cirrus aircraft parts and a vast knowledge of FAA regulations, and is able to quickly adapt to any challenges that get in her way.